by Robert Fudge

1 Why do the nations conspire
and the peoples plot in vain?

2 The kings of the earth take their stand
and the rulers gather together
against the LORD
and against his Anointed One.

3 "Let us break their chains," they say,
"and throw off their fetters."

4 The One enthroned in heaven laughs;
the Lord scoffs at them.

5 Then he rebukes them in his anger
and terrifies them in his wrath, saying,

6 "I have installed my King
on Zion, my holy hill."

7 I will proclaim the decree of the LORD :
He said to me, "You are my Son;
today I have become your Father.

8 Ask of me,
and I will make the nations your inheritance,
the ends of the earth your possession.

9 You will rule them with an iron scepter;
you will dash them to pieces like pottery."

10 Therefore, you kings, be wise;
be warned, you rulers of the earth.

11 Serve the LORD with fear
and rejoice with trembling.

12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry
and you be destroyed in your way,
for his wrath can flare up in a moment.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him. (NIV)

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While this Psalm is written primarily to and for physical Israel in the time of King David, it has some great spiritual and practical encouragement for us today.

It begins with those who would dare oppose God and His reign from heaven. The very idea that man can oppose God and His plans makes Him laugh. But it is not funny, just that unbelievable, because the next verse says that He is angry because of it. Who am I, mere mortal, to oppose the Great God and Creator of the universe? Yet, am I not doing that very thing when I fail to live for Him and to live according to His word? This reminds me of Phil. 3:16: “Only let us live up to what we have already attained”. (NIV)

What really stand out to me is in verse 7 when God declares that “You are my Son; today I have become your Father.” This is quoted in Acts 19 and twice in Hebrews concerning Jesus. Today, we can know that God, through Jesus is ruling and is in control. While we see what seems to be out of control in our world, our nation, our neighborhoods, and even our homes, we can live in total peace, knowing that God is in control.

Let’s each one of us today determine that we will allow God complete control of our hearts and our lives.